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Thursday, June 20, 2013

Forty Ways to Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without

Dear Readers,

Hard times are upon many of us. I've been trying to Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without for several years now. Here are some of the things I've done.

Ways to USE IT UP:

1. Toothpaste- Take the end of your toothbrush and slide it along the toothpaste tube, pushing all the toothpaste up toward the opening to get out all the last bits. If you're at the end and want the very last bit, open the end with scissors and just put your toothbrush inside. You'll get a few more brushings out of the tube.

2. Lotions- If you have body lotion or baby lotion setting around unused, you can use it for shaving lotion. I just put some in my hand, add a bit of water from the faucet and spread it on my skin. The razor slides smoothly. The same is true for unused hair conditioner.

3. Lipstick- Use a lip brush or cotton swab to get the last bits out of the container.

4. Unmatched dishes-either your own or garage sale finds. Use these to give food gifts to neighbors or friends. We have had single neighbors who really appreciate a single serving of soup or whatever meal we're having. Using the mismatched items takes the worry away about getting your dishes back. When they're returned, it's just an added blessing.

5. Oftentimes, I have leftovers that I like to try to remake into something else. Soup's especially good for this. Leftover meat and gravy makes a great soup base.

21. Cut up old clothes or sheets into your preferred napkin size. Zig-zag stitch or hem the edges. Fold them and leave them in a basket on the table or counter. It works for baby receiving blankets, too.

22. When I make jelly, I use an old pillowcase that is clean and lint free instead of a jelly bag to hang my fruit mixture in to strain it.

23. Remake used or old clothing by: adding pretty patches or yo yos, dying the cloth, embroidering by hand or machine around edges or wear lines where a dress or pants were let out, or adding a ruffle or lace to make it long enough and fresh.

24. The most romantic dinners that my husband and I have had since we were married were those at home. I'd feed the kids and put them to bed early. Then, I'd either prepare something for us; or, we'd eat take out. Sometimes, we'd eat at the kitchen table or dining table, or even at a little table in our bedroom. When we lived in a second floor apartment, I put a tiny round table and two chairs on the balcony. Each time I'd use a nice tablecloth, candles, china or nice dishes, and nice glasses or stemware. Add soft music; and, you have a wonderful setting. Give it a try!

31. Combine trips when you do need to go out. We have to go to a nearby city for some things we need. I like to combine everything I can think of that I need to do in that city on that day.

32. Use a bicycle, if you have one.

33. Invite friends for a potluck. Share the cost of the meal by asking others bring a dish to share.

34. The fewer ingredients in a recipe, the simpler and more cost effective it usually is. Steak is a notable exception to this rule. ~smile~

35. Rethink why you eat. Really, it's just to fill your tummy and to give you nutrition. Rice and beans can do that just as well as meat and potatoes.

36. Always think about what precedents you are setting with your children. A new bike for a birthday or Christmas sets a high precedent for next year. Designer tennis shoes or clothes set a high precedent for next year.

37. Don't allow your children to watch Saturday morning cartoons. The commercials are designed to make your children into gimme monsters.

38. Stay away from toy stores and toy aisles. Don't let your little darlings see what other accessories there are to go with their toys!

39. Stay away from craft and fabric stores! Eek! I knew you wouldn't like that one!

40. Do a Bible study on contentment. "Do not covet your neighbor's______. You fill in the blank.

May God bless you as you journey along this life using it up, wearing it out, making it do and doing without... CHEERFULLY! That part can come only from God!

Love it!!! Reaffirms what I've been trying to do, but still needed to hear several of them again (and again, and again) particularly that last one: Do not covet your neighbor's (ipad)! :) Visiting and following from the crew. http://lisasdailypictures.blogspot.com

What an awesome post of being content and frugal with what we have! I have wanted to do a post on this topic, but haven't known where to start. TY for helping me get started in my thinking. We have downsized twice, but keep finding ways that we can get leaner and not so dependent on stuff. Blessings!

Really great post. You've mentioned some easy and wise ways to spend less and use more of what we already have. I think the last one is my favorite. I've been ruminating on the word contentment lately and I like it! I feel it! Must be because of all those days I'm staying home and making do! Thanks for entering this on the Farmgirl friday hop!

Laura, what a great post and fabulous ideas to grow on. I am in favor of frugal living and you gave some great suggestions. Thank you for linking up at What Joy Is Mine's Monday's Musings. I am featuring your post tomorrow, along with others, for my Saturday Encouragement post. Thank you again and I hope to see more of your posts linked up at Monday's Musings. Blessings to you.

I noticed your hoarder post and had to smile. Being thrifty can lead to holding on to some things a little longer than I should. Of course, that's also being creative. I can just always think of something to do or make with all that stuff. I'm much better than I used to be and definitely don't meet the definition of hoarder. ~smile~ No, honest!

Great list! I incorporate many of these daily. Make it do . . . do without is often heard from this mama - it's even posted on wall!Craft and fabric stores are my own version of toy and candy stores. I have more than enough already, so better stay away!Thanks for sharing, enjoy your day.

Great list! With four kiddos in the house and one income, we love finding ways to make things last and save money. I just wrote a post on 5 Ways to Stretch a Budget, so I'm going to link this to the bottom. I think my readers will appreciate these practical suggestions. :)

You know that advice about staying away from craft stores is the best I've heard recently. This is a bit of a rant, but why can they consistently put those items on sale for 40% off, why not just charge lower prices to begin with. It's always the same stuff on sale or clearance anyway. Enough ranting. Your tips are awesome though. Thanks for sharing them.

Hi Heidi,I have to agree with your rant. I can't afford their regular prices, so the 40% off coupon is my best choice unless I happen to hit a 50% off sale. But, I save even more if I use something I have on hand. ~smile~

I wonder if we're neighbors. I'm in the Joplin area.The motto often heard around here is, "Do with watcha got!"It's a derivative of President Theodore Roosevelt's,"Do what you can with what you've got where you are."

Even without looking, I figured the craft store idea was the one you didn't like. Seems most of us don't like it, including me. Although I've been working through my stash for quite awhile, I still have fabric, glitter, scrapbook supplies, etc. that I need to use up. I am to the point where I have to buy some things to complete a project, much like you might need a couple of items to complete a recipe. That's not the kind of shopping that hurts my budget though. ~smile~

My husband told me just the other night that he doesn't have to worry about me shopping. That was a great compliment in my ears.

Wow you sound like you are doing a great job. Thanks for the great tips and ideas. I am always looking for ways to save and reuse things. I host a party on Tuesday called The Gathering Spot and would love to see you link up sometime. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Laura, this is such a great list. Hubby and I are fortunate enough to not have to really watch our pennies. Still, I try to be frugal. My mom raised me to reuse, repurpose, and recycle. I like making things over. Never can be wasteful. I love finding new ways to use leftovers. And for the gas. Wow, cost me $83 to fill my Tahoe this morning. I find that the days I go roaming I spend a lot. Good thing I don't do it real often. Thanks for sharing this great list with SYC.hugs,Jann

I've always loved that saying (the frugal motto!), and here you've listed some wonderful concrete ways to put that into practice. A great post! I featured you on this week's Grace at Home--thanks so much for linking up!

Great list! The best thing I did was give up window shopping. If I don't need something, I don't go out which saves loads of money :) Plus I almost never buy new. Thanks for sharing this on the Art of Home-Making Mondays!

This is a wonderful list, Laura. I have done most of the things on this list. I have been compiling my own list to blog about soon. Thanks so much for encouraging your readers. It is nice to know that we aren't alone in this struggle, and that by putting some thought into things, we really can make do with what we have. Great post! Happy to have found your blog, Laura. I love your background.

Wow! What a great list. With eight children I've had to learn how to practice being frugal. Lots of recycled clothes and simple menus. Nobody complains though because as long as we're all in it together nobody minds. :)

We don't use paper towels - bought 4 dozen tea towels for $.79 each at IKEA and we use them for towels, napkins, cleaning cloths, you name it.

We avoid impulse buying by using Amazon Prime. We don't pay shipping after we pay the yearly fee and we find exactly what we want. If I went looking for something at Target instead of online, I would end up buying a whole lot of stuff in the dollar bins that I really don't need.

Great tips! I have done many of these things. I especially like cutting up old clothes for rags because then I get to enjoy the pretty fabric some more in a new context. I think you would enjoy this big list of ways to reuse things.

Great post. As much as I know some of these things, it is easy to forget them in day to day life. I love your point about sharing a serving with single neighbors. As someone who is single and lives alone, I would definitely appreciate the thoughtfulness. Single-ness if often with its own challenges that can be overlooked.

Thank you for praying for me! Thank you for encouraging me so much through this cancer treatment. I have the best blog friends in the world! Yes! You!

I read all your comments and respond as I can right now. Please make sure I have your email if you want me to respond or pray for you. For some reason Blogger isn't notifying me of comments right now, so I may be a bit slower.

God bless you all! This life only works with Jesus. The next life is a continuation of this one—make sure you spend it with Jesus. Jesus is the only way to God the Father!

I'm a breast cancer surviving,
homeschooling, Jesus loving, mom to four children and wife to my high school sweetheart for 32 years...doing what I can with what I've got where I am
on a short shoestring budget!
ஐღLauraღஐ

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